Dharamshala – Dalhousie – Amritsar
5 Night / 6 Days
Dharamshala:
Dharamshala is the headquarters of Kangra district and among the popular places to visit in Himachal as part of honeymoon tour. The city was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the year 1905 and was reconstructed to become a health resort and a popular tourist destination. In the year 1960, Dharamshala became a temporary headquarters to His Holiness Dalai Lama. Today, it is known as Little Lhasa or Dhasa, because of its large population of Tibetans and Buddhist Monasteries. Dharamshala consists of two distinct parts – Lower Dharamsala and Upper Dharamshala. Lower Dharamsala is a bustling civil and commercial center whereas Upper Dharamshala, known more commonly as McLeod Ganj, is the seat of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama’s residence and the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration are located here.
Kangra Valley:
Kangra Valley is the largest valley in India and among the must include places in Dharamshala Tour Packages. This valley is filled with a beautiful thick cover of pine forests, orchards, and turbulent streams flowing from the perennial snowy mountains. The best time to visit the valley is during the summer months of March and April when the sun begins to shine displaying the beautiful scenery of the Kangra Valley. Rock cut Kangra temples, Kangra Fort, Palampur, and Dharamsala, the abode of Dalai Lama are located in this Himalayan valley.
Kangra Fort:
At a distance of 37 km from Dharamshala, 44 km from McLeod Ganj, and 54 km from Kangra, Kotla Fort is a historic fort situated at Kotla Town in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Located on the Pathankot-Dharamshala road, it is one of the renowned places of heritage in Himachal, and among the must-visit places as part of Dharamshala tour packages.Kotla Fort stands at an altitude of 650 m, overlooking the surrounding deep valleys. The fort was built by Raja Ram Chand of Guler in the 16th century. It was seized during the reign of Raja Suraj Mal and his brother Madho Singh was made the commander of the fort. The way to the fort is covered with thick forests of pine. It is one of the major Dharamshala tourist places.The fort houses 15 corridors and was built on a huge rock, which follows the building style of Kangra Fort. A Bagulamukhi temple is located at the main entrance of the fort. There is also a small temple devoted to Lord Ganesh which features a round roof. The temple is adorned with wall paintings on the outer walls. There is a wall featuring three arches and niches which is popular.
McLeodGanj
At a distance of 9 km from Dharamshala, 20 km from Kangra, 92 km from Pathankot, 122 km from Dalhousie, 198 km from Kullu, 238 km from Manali, 240 km from Shimla, and 490 km from Delhi, McLeod Ganj, also spelt McLeodGanj, is a town situated in the Upper Dharamshala region of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges, McLeodGanj lies at an altitude of 2082 m. Considered as a twin city of Dharamshala, McLeodGanj is one of the popular places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. McLeodGanj was inhabited by the indigenous Gaddi tribes and dominated by one of the world’s earliest royal clans; the Katoch Dynasty. Later, it came under the rule of the British after Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849 AD and was named after Sir Donald Friell McLeod, a Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. Initially, it was a summer resort for the British during the 1840s and became a garrison town in the 1850s. It was transformed into a prominent commercial and political center, by the 1900s. McLeod Ganj can be visited along with Manali tour packages.McLeodganj was destroyed by the devastating Kangra earthquake in 1905. The earthquake destroyed most buildings in Kangra, Dharamshala, and McLeod Ganj which were rebuilt in the following decades. After Independence, McLeodganj served as a flourishing health resort till the 1950s. In the early 1960s, it became the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It also became the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile. Today, it is known as Little Lhasa or Dhasa, because of its large Tibetan population.Mcleodganj tour packages are a mix of Tibetan institutions, Buddhist monasteries, culture, art, and crafts. Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Triund, Dal Lake, Gaggal, Lower Dharamshala, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang, and Tsechokling Gompa are the top places to visit in Mcleodganj. It is also a major shopping center famous for souvenirs like Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, garments, wooden masks, paper drawings, beads, baubles, etc. McLeodganj also serves as a base camp for various trekking expeditions that cover Kangra and Chamba Valleys and Dhauladhar ranges.
Tsuglag Khang – Dalai Lama’s Temple complex
Tsuglag Khang, also known as Dalai Lama’s Temple complex, is the home for His Holiness Dalai Lama. It is among the world-renowned religious centers and is thronged by Buddhist pilgrims throughout the year. Tsuglagkhang Monastery is a beautifully built structure. This is more like a temple along with being a residential complex for His Holiness and his followers.The complex houses the Photang (Dalai Lama’s residence), Tibet Museum, Tsuglagkhang Temple, and Namgyal Gompa. The monastery deals with the training of monks for rituals associated with holy shrine, whereas the temple is a chief place of worship. A beautifully decorated statue of Lord Buddha along with beautiful statues of Padmasambhava and Avalokiteshvara are housed in the temple. It is open from sunrise to sunset each day and is visited by thousands of tourists and devotees.The first building inside the Tsuglagkhang Monastery is Tibet Museum, among the famous places of sightseeing in McLeodganj. The ground floor of the monastery comprises of Chinese incursion of Tibet along with several other pictures. The museum shows tourists the major cause behind the inflow of Tibetans to India. This monastery is the biggest Tibetan Temple outside Tibet. It has got a big meditation hall that comprise of some beautiful thangkas, and statues along with Kalachakra temple that has beautiful murals.The monastery also has a place called Namgyal Gompa which is reserved for Tibetan monks to get indulged in a religious debate. There is also the famous Kora ritual which includes walking in a clockwise direction along with a specific path. This monastery has a garden, cafeteria, book shop, museum, and library.Kalachakra Temple is located adjoining the Tsuglagkhang. The temple has fresco decorations of 722 deities of the mandala, Shakyamuni Buddha, and the central Kalachakra image. Dalai Lama personally directed the painting of the frescos done by three master painters over three years. The walls and columns have many traditional Tibetan Thangka paintings.
Namgyalma Stupa:
Namgyalma Stupa is a dome-shaped construction that contains the remains of Buddha, which the Tibetans consider to be a sacred place of worship. It holds a huge shrine of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Namgyalma Stupa was constructed in the remembrance of the Tibetan soldiers who fought for the freedom of Tibet. This structure is similar in design to the structure built during the 3rd century BC by King Ashoka.Among the most prominent places of sightseeing in Dharamshala, the Namgyalma Stupa is carved from sandstone and is made with a vision of being long-lasting. It is a belief among Tibetans that anything that falls on the Namgyalma Stupa gets purified. Some believe that rain water falling on the Stupa is blessed. It is also believed that a visit to the Namgyalma Stupa cleanses any bad karma that exists in the soul. The Stupa is surrounded by a number of prayer wheels. Tibetans who visit the Stupa for worship circle it rotating the wheels and reciting prayers.
Khajjiar:
At a distance of 20 km from Chamba, and 21 km from Dalhousie, Khajjiar is a beautiful hill station located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the scenic hill stations near Chandigarh, and among the must-include places in.Often known as the Switzerland of India, Khajjiar is situated at an altitude of 1,951 m in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas and is part of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary. Khajjiar was a part of the erstwhile state of the Rajput rulers of Chamba. It served as the capital of Chamba rulers. Thereafter, it was taken over by the Mughals, from which the rule passed over to various Sikh kingdoms. Subsequently, it was taken over by the British.Khajjiar is a picturesque spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest. Khajjiar Lake is a small lake covering an area of about 5000 sq. yards. On the lake, some clusters of grasses and weeds have grown that appear like a floating island. A little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to the 12th century AD. This temple is dedicated to the Lord of Serpents. The Nag that is worshipped here has a human form. The stone idol has a mace in one hand and a khanda, a double dagger in the other. In the mandapa of the temple, one can see the images of the Pandavas and Kauravas near the roof of the circumambulatory path.
Sathdhara Waterfall
his waterfall is located near Panch Pula and is known for its seven sparkling springs, which are believed to have medicinal properties. The water cascades down from a height of 2036 meters, surrounded by tall deodar and pine trees.
Golden Temple-
Golden Temple is most sacred Sikh pilgrimage site situated in Amritsar town of Punjab state. Popularly known as Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple is acclaimed as one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India.Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, 4th Sikh Guru, started the digging of Amrit Sarovar in 1577 AD on the orders of 3rd Sikh guru Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. Which was later on brick-lined by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Sikh Guru, in 1588 and he also started the construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib was first installed at Harmandir Sahib in 1604 AD. The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was destroyed in fire accident in the 1760s. In the early 19th century, 100 kg of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Fondly known as Swarn Mandir, Sri Harmandir Sahib is built on 67 feet square platform in the center of the Amrit Sarovar. This sarovar is considered to be filled of Amrit, which means ‘holy water’ or ‘immortal nectar’. The water in this sarovar is believed to have medicinal properties and curative powers and hence, devotees bath in the tank to cleanse their soul. The Golden Temple has a unique architectural style and is built at a level lower than the ground. The temple is a two storey marble structure and can be reached by the Guru’s bridge. The upper floor is gold plated and crowned with a dome and the lower floor is made with white marble and has walls decorated with motifs. The architecture is a great blend of Hindu and Muslim styles.The Granth Sahib is kept in the temple during day time and at night it is kept in the Akal Takht or Eternal Throne. The moving ceremony takes place at 5 AM and 9.30 PM in winter, and 4 AM and 10.30 PM in summer. Akal Takht was initially built in 1609 CE by the sixth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib as a symbol for political sovereignty of Sikhs. This is first of the five Takht Sahib of Sikh religion. The Akal Takht also contains the ancient weapons used by Sikh warriors.There is also a Central Sikh Museum atop the clock tower which was built in 1958. It displays the paintings of Sikh gurus, warriors, saints, and other prominent Sikh leaders who have contributed to the development of Sikh religion. It has a huge collection of ancient manuscripts coins, arms, and also has an excellent library.Another major highlight of the Golden Temple complex is the ‘Guru-ka-Langar’, a dining hall where around 35,000 people a day are fed for free by temple volunteers. One of the most important festivals of Golden Temple is Vaisakhi, which is celebrated in the second week of April.
Jallianwala Bagh:
Jallianwala Bagh is the unfortunate site where thousands of innocents were brutally killed by British troops on 13th April 1919, which was the day of Baisakhi festival for the people of Sikh religion. In order to celebrate this festival, a big crowd of many villagers had gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699, and also known as the ‘Birth of Khalsa.’ On hearing that a meeting had assembled, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer with his army of 150 troops ordered open fire at the crowd. According to British Raj sources, around 379 people were dead and 1500 wounded people were left to die in the well within the garden.Today, this public garden houses a memorial, which was established in 1951, to pay homage to thousands of people killed during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The garden is fenced by high walls on all sides with a single entry. A 30-feet high pillar, with stone lanterns on four sides, stands in the middle of a shallow tank in the garden. The lanterns are carved with Ashok Chakra and the words, ‘In memory of martyrs, 13 April 1919’, have been inscribed on all four sides of the pylon. A lamp, burning to pay homage to the martyrs, is placed at the entrance. It is the Eternal Flame of Liberty. This memorial was designed by American architect Benjamin Polk and was inaugurated by the first president of Independent India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Though the park has been beautifully maintained by the Jallianwala Bagh Trust, the bullet marks are still intact on the walls all over. The spot from where the firing was ordered has also been marked. There is a Martyr’s well, the well into which people jumped to escape the bullets. It has been preserved inside the park and stands as a reminder of the horrific event that occurred here. This garden also houses a Martyr’s Gallery, which holds an exhibit of portraits of some freedom fighters.
Wagah Border:
Wagah Border is the only road border between India and Pakistan. The border lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. Also known as ‘Berlin Wall of China’, Wagah Border is the only open border which is officially accessible by both the nations and also one of the top places to visit in Amritsar.The border has a huge arch named ‘Swarn Jayanti Dwar’, and gates of both the countries. Also known as Attari, Wagah is mainly known for its ‘Beating Retreat Ceremony’. The Beating Retreat Ceremony was started in 1959 and it was agreed by the government of both the countries. It is a symbol of the rivalry between the two countries. The flag ceremony is conducted by the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers. Women guards of BSF have also been a part of this ceremony from July 2011. Almost 5,000 people visit the border to see the ceremony with great patriotism.The highlight of this ceremony is the lowering of the flags of both the countries simultaneously. The flags are then folded and the ceremony ends with a kind gesture where the soldiers of both the countries shake hands and then it is followed by the closing of the gates. The ceremony takes place for 45 minutes and is carried out before sunset. Seating arrangements are enabled for the spectators so that they can watch the ceremony. The crowd cheers on by calling out ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Vande Mataram’, reciprocated with cries of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ from the opposite side.